    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2004, Book III)]
    [December 11, 2004]
    [Pages 3069-3070]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Exchange With Reporters in Bethesda, Maryland
    December 11, 2004

    Visit With Wounded Troops/President's Health

        Q. How are you feeling, Mr. President?

        The President. I'm--first of all, incredibly impressed by the health
    care that our military receives. I have just come from visiting with
    some of the wounded and their families, and the service that the doctors
    and nurses provide here for our troops is superb. It is such an honor to
    see those who have been put themselves--who have been injured and are
    now fighting back and recovering and seeing their spirit and their
    strength. And it's an uplifting experience to come here.

        I can say to the loved ones in the military that their sons and
    daughters and husbands and wives get the very best medical care there
    is, and I am grateful for that.
        As far as my own physical goes, I'm still standing. I, obviously,
    have just gone through a campaign, because--let me say, I've obviously
    gone through a campaign where I probably ate too many doughnuts, if you
    get my drift. My New Year's resolution has become apparent after getting
    on the scales. And although I think the doc will put out a report that
    shows you that I'm physically fit and still able to get on the stress
    tests, I'm a little overweight. And therefore, I fully intend to lose
    some inches off my waistline and some pounds off my frame. But other
    than that, I'm feeling great.
        Thank you all.

    Note: The exchange began at 1:42 p.m. at the National Naval Medical
    Center. A tape was not available for verification of the content of this
    exchange.

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